In the current tech industry, most streaming devices are considered “old” after just two years. However, the Nvidia Shield TV has achieved the impossible: staying relevant for over a decade thanks to impressive update support. Recent insights from Andrew Bell, Nvidia’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering, confirmed that the company has no intention of abandoning its legendary set-top box. In fact, support remains as strong as ever, and the door to a successor is wider than many expected.
Why Nvidia doesn’t drop the update support for the original Shield TV
in the interview with Ars Technica, Bell says that the Shield TV’s long life isn’t a fluke. It comes from Nvidia engineers wanting to build a high-performance streamer that they could actually use. CEO Jensen Huang made a rare promise to support the streaming device “as long as we shall live” out of pure passion.
Maintaining a 2015 device in 2026 is a massive technical challenge. After all, the company must compete against much newer devices like the Google TV Streamer. Nvidia has had to rebuild entire security stacks and source new components when original parts went out of production. This dedication ensures that even the first-generation units can still handle 4K DRM content today, far outlasting any other Android-powered device on the market.
The possibility of a new model
The current hardware is still good, but tech fans want a new version. The last internal update came out in 2019, and since then, the industry has moved toward newer standards that the current Shield can’t handle on its own.
Bell confirmed that Nvidia is constantly “playing in the labs” with new concepts for the Shield. While there is no official release date, the team continues to explore what a next-generation model would look like. A theoretical successor would prioritize modern video technologies. The list could include AV1 decoding, HDR10+, and the latest Dolby Vision profiles, among others. Of course, we can expect Google TV as the core OS. These upgrades would ensure the Shield remains the gold standard for high-end home theaters.
Interestingly, a hardware refresh could also fix smaller user complaints. Bell mentioned the desire to redesign the remote, specifically the oversized Netflix button. If you’re not aware, this big button was a result of a strict certification requirement in 2019. In a potential new controller, we could get a more discreet and user-friendly design.
Shield TV Pro still in production
For now, Nvidia continues to manufacture and sell the 2019 Shield TV Pro with remarkable consistency. Nvidia has found a loyal audience that values a premium, high-performance experience over cheaper alternatives. Whether you are a long-time owner or a potential buyer, the message is clear: the Shield TV ecosystem is here to stay. Let’s hope that firmer news about a potential new model will not take long to arrive. After all, the wait has already been long enough.
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